Skin Deep

Michael Crannoc’s Skin Deep presents a thriller centered on FBI agent Jaz Freeman, who recruits Seb Straeker to infiltrate a clandestine group operating behind the Cliff House. Seb accepts this mission to spy on wealthy elites seeking immortality, boarding the Estrella de Mar cruise liner with only seven days to install surveillance equipment before their secret meeting. His cover identity involves posing as a bodyguard for the headline performer, Janie Reichenbach. Complicating his assignment is Billie Dakota, a private investigator hired to examine death threats against the diva. Billie quickly suspects Seb of lying about his profession and possibly stealing, creating tension between the two loners thrust together by circumstance. The narrative draws on traditions of gothic suspense and supernatural fiction, focusing on the corrupt cabal’s desperate measures to preserve their lives. This book suits readers who enjoy tense spy thrillers mixed with elements of the macabre, particularly those familiar with the pacing found in Reacher novels or the atmospheric dread of Stephen King. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted romance or purely historical accounts. The story unfolds through the interactions between Seb, Billie, and the mysterious figures surrounding Janie Reichenbach on the ship.